In Memoriam
For Pope Francis, Shepherd of his flock
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus…
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (The Gospel of John, 21:4, 9-19)
On what would be his last day, Pope Francis beautifully lived out Christ’s direction to St. Peter. “Feed my sheep.”
That image of Pope Francis giving an Easter greeting, blessing babies, out amongst the crowds on the last day of his life, even while burdened by great illness, will be how I remember him.
I have known three popes in my lifetime, St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict, and Pope Francis. Each is remembered for how their tenure changed the Church or changed the world. A diplomat, a scholar, a Jesuit. Those are most likely the biographical highlights you’ll hear discussed on secular news.
But to lead the Church, each pope must primarily strive to be the shepherd who models the loving care of the original Shepherd.
As my Church begins the process of choosing our next pope, I will pray they are guided by the Holy Spirit to choose a man after God’s own heart.
To teach above all else, what Christ told us was most important,